Adopting A Dog – What Dog To Choose

The type of dog that you will adopt often defines the future you have with your new best friend. If you pick the wrong breed, size, or temperament, both of you will likely end up not enjoying each other's company.

Each dog breed has characteristics that set it apart from the rest of the canine community. And while the dog's breed helps in approximating the general behavior, temperament, and characteristics of the dog, it still comes down to the individual characteristics of your chosen dog. To find your perfect dog match, use the following information:

Dog breed
Dog breed is the prime consideration when picking a dog to adopt and is probably the best criteria to begin with when choosing a dog. There are literally hundreds of dog breeds you can choose from. To make the selection easier for you, you can either choose use dog breed selectors available online or use some begin your search with the breed you have set your eyes on. You can also narrow down your choices to certain characteristics like:

- breed size,
- energy level,
- exercise requirements,
- playfulness,
- affection level,
- tolerance towards other dogs or pets,
- ease of training,
- protection ability,
- grooming requirements, and
- tolerance to heat and cold

Dog size
Dogs have a wide range of sizes. From tiny toy dogs as small as your coffee mug to giant dogs that seem more like a bundle of muscle than dog.

Small dogs are most vulnerable and are often associated with female owners. They are cute, dainty, very delicate and oftentimes boisterous. If you want a pet that you can carry with you, a small dog – toy or lapdog – is a perfect choice.

Make no mistake, though. Small dogs do not always make for behaved dogs. As if to compensate for their small size, some small dogs develop tough dog attitudes. Be prepared to do plenty of obedience training to curb their small dog aggressiveness.

Mid-size dogs, on the other hand, are ideal for most kinds of keepers – from children, adult to old people. As middle range dogs, they tend to get along with all sorts of training, environment, and people. Although, these benefits do not apply to all mid-sized dogs.

Giant dogs, big as they are, are perfect for people who have the space, budget, and patience for big animals. They require more food, more supplies, more space, and more intensive training. Compared to other dog sizes, giant dogs are more functional and more fun to be with, especially if you are the type of owner who loves the outdoors.

Age
When it comes to age, you have three choices. You can choose from puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs.

Most people choose puppies because they are irresistibly cute and loaded with energy. They are also the hardest to take care of. When wanting to adopt a puppy, you should prepare for plenty of surprises such as accidents, misbehaviors, and the possibility of ending up with a dog that is different from what you expected.

Adult dogs are the ideal choice. They have already shown their actual temperament, size, attitude, and activity level. They are also, in most cases, already trained.

Senior dogs, on the other hand, are the ones that deserve adoption but are often not adopted. Would-be owners often fear that senior dogs are poor choices for pets. The reverse, in fact, is often true. It could be a very rewarding experience to bring home an aged dog, and a very compassionate experience at that.